Obituaries

Walter E. Coy, 99

August 6, 2012

Funeral services were Monday, July 23, 2012 at Canfield Christian Church for Walter Emerson Coy, 99, who closed his eyes for a short rest and woke up in the arms of Jesus on Saturday, July 14, at Park Manor Nursing Home, Park Falls, Wis. Walter was born Oct. 28, 1912 in Green Township, Mahoning County, a son of the late Wesley and Anna Bell Godward Coy and had lived most of his life in Canfield, until moving to Lac du Flambeau, Wis., in 2007 to live with his son Emerson and his wife, Julie.

Walter grew up in a family of ministers, farmers and road builders. Along with his father and uncles, Walter helped build most of the roads in the surrounding area with horses ad wagons, all while operating a large farm south of Canfield. The use of horses evolved to trucks. Walter was the owner/operator of Coy Brothers Trucking which is still in operation today. He also was a co-owner of the former Coy Gas Station on the corner of Western Reserve Road and Route 46. During World War II, he worked tirelessly to further the war effort by keeping the local steel mills supplied with raw materials. Always looking for better ways to get the job done, he developed and patented conveyor systems to unload his trucks with less time and effort.

Throughout his life, he was active in the Canfield community and his church. He was a lifelong member of Canfield Christian Church, where he served in any capacity that was asked of him deacon, elder, trustee, and Sunday School superintendent. He donated many hours of time and resources to his community, active in the Canfield Kiwanis Club and the Republican Club, and with the help of his sons developed the initial roadways for the Canfield Community baseball fields. Walter was also an avid Arthur Murray dancer and instructor.

He was preceded in eternal rest by the love of his life of 72 years, the former Alma Davis, whom he married July 11, 1936. He leaves four sons, Arlan and his wife Patricia of Salem and their three daughters, Melanie, Robin and Laurie; Wesley and his wife Cheryl of Salem and their daughter, Connie; Rev. Emerson and his wife Julie of Lac du Flambeau, Wis., and their children, Leana and Matthew; the Rev. Walter and his wife Joyce of Canfield and their children, Alan, Amanda, Bryan and Joshua. He is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; a sister, Helen Bush of Canfield and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and his wife, Walter was preceded in death by four sisters, Esther Rice, Agnes Davis, Anna Shears, Estelle Schooley; a brother, Carl Coy and a grandson, William St. Germaine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests material tributes take the form of contributions to the Canfield Christian Church.